Incident Involving Gang Member Ends with Shooting in Portland
On January 8, a confrontation in Portland resulted in the fatal shooting of a suspected undocumented immigrant and alleged Venezuelan gang member by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents. Authorities believe this individual was connected to a shooting incident that occurred months earlier.
The Washington County Sheriff’s Office reported to Fox News Digital that they responded to a shooting at an apartment complex in July 2025. Thankfully, no one was injured, and the suspects had escaped before authorities arrived.
Local residents expressed their shock at the event, especially considering the area’s typically peaceful nature. Justin Pitones, a neighbor who spoke with KGW8, recounted being home when he heard glass breaking. He then saw deputies, armed and moving through the yard.
“It was in broad daylight; that was kind of odd,” Pitones noted. “This is a quiet neighborhood.” Later on, officers described the earlier incident as a “deal gone bad,” leaving neighbors unaware that it could escalate into a federal shooting a few months later.
After further investigation, investigators identified Yorlenis Bezabez Zambrano Contreras, who is now indicted in connection with the CBP case, as a person of interest in the incident from July. Due to the complexities of the case, it has been referred to the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, which indicates ongoing investigations.
Authorities have generally refrained from commenting further, redirecting all inquiries to federal investigators. Portland police have also limited their comments to statements made in a recent press conference.
The events of July have provided additional context to the January 8 standoff where CBP officers attempted to stop Zambrano Contreras and her husband, Luis Nino Moncada, in Portland.
Federal prosecutors allege that the couple, suspected to have links to the Venezuelan gang Torren de Aragua, were inside a Toyota Tacoma when Border Patrol agents conducted a targeted traffic stop. Allegedly, Moncada, who entered the U.S. illegally in 2022 and has a final removal order, refused to leave the vehicle and intentionally crashed into a Border Patrol vehicle, causing considerable damage.
According to prosecutors, fearing for their safety, Border Patrol agents opened fire, hitting both suspects. Moncada allegedly confessed to ramming the CBP vehicle to escape. After receiving treatment for their gunshot wounds, both suspects faced federal charges related to the confrontation.
Notably, the Justice Department revealed there was no body-worn camera footage from the six involved Border Patrol agents, and efforts to locate surveillance footage of the incident have been unsuccessful.
Prosecutors emphasized Moncada’s immigration and criminal background, citing past arrests for driving under the influence and unauthorized vehicle use. They pointed out that despite these issues, Moncada was released by the Biden administration. Zambrano-Contreras has faced accusations of illegally entering the U.S. in 2023 and being involved in a prostitution ring linked to Torren de Aragua.
This shooting in Portland closely followed a controversial incident involving ICE in Minneapolis, where 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good was killed during another immigration investigation. Federal officials stated that she was shot after allegedly attempting to use her vehicle as a weapon against ICE agents.
